Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008) Movie Review: A Visual Feast of Myth and Mayhem

When Hellboy II: The Golden Army roared into theaters on July 11, 2008, directed by visionary filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, it didn’t just build on the foundation of its 2004 predecessor—it soared to new heights. This sequel, starring Ron Perlman as the cigar-chomping, demon-born hero Hellboy, blends superhero action with del Toro’s signature fairy-tale flair, delivering a film that’s as heartfelt as it is fantastical. With a budget of $82-86 million and a worldwide box office haul of over $168 million, Hellboy II proved that audiences were hungry for its unique mix of gritty charm and otherworldly spectacle. Seventeen years later, it remains a cult classic and a testament to del Toro’s unparalleled imagination. So, what makes this film so enduring? Let’s break it down.

Plot Overview: A War Between Worlds

Hellboy II: The Golden Army picks up with Hellboy (Ron Perlman), now a reluctant celebrity within the secretive Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense (B.P.R.D.). Alongside his pyrokinetic girlfriend Liz Sherman (Selma Blair) and aquatic empath Abe Sapien (Doug Jones), Hellboy battles supernatural threats while wrestling with his own identity as a half-demon raised by humans. The story kicks into gear when Prince Nuada (Luke Goss), a rogue elven warrior, resurfaces to reclaim the mythical Golden Army—a legion of indestructible mechanical soldiers buried centuries ago to end a war between humans and magical creatures.

Nuada’s plan is simple yet devastating: awaken the Golden Army to wipe out humanity and restore the dominance of the “old world.” To do so, he needs the three pieces of a crown that controls the army, one of which is held by his twin sister, Princess Nuala (Anna Walton), who seeks peace over bloodshed. As Hellboy and his team scramble to stop Nuada, they encounter a rogue’s gallery of creatures—tooth fairies, a forest elemental, and a towering troll market—each more bizarre and beautiful than the last. The stakes escalate to a climactic showdown beneath Northern Ireland, where Hellboy’s defiance of fate and Nuada’s tragic nobility collide in a battle both epic and personal.

Ron Perlman’s Hellboy: The Heart of the Beast

Ron Perlman’s portrayal of Hellboy is the beating heart of this film, blending gruff humor with surprising tenderness. At 58 during filming, Perlman wears the character’s red skin and filed-down horns like a second skin, embodying a hero who’s equal parts brawler and bruised soul. His Hellboy isn’t your typical caped crusader—he’s a blue-collar demon who downs beers, bickers with Liz, and belts out Barry Manilow tunes with Abe during downtime. Perlman’s gravelly voice and deadpan delivery (“I’m not a baby, I’m a tumor”) make every line a delight, grounding the film’s wilder moments in relatable humanity.

One of the film’s standout scenes comes when Hellboy, battered and drunk, stumbles onto a rooftop with Abe to lament their outsider status. It’s a quiet, poignant moment that showcases Perlman’s ability to shift from action hero to everyman, reminding us why fans fought so hard for his return in later reboot attempts (which, sadly, never materialized). Perlman’s chemistry with the ensemble—particularly Selma Blair’s fiery Liz and Doug Jones’ gentle Abe—elevates Hellboy II beyond mere spectacle into a story about found family.

A Supporting Cast That Shines

The ensemble around Perlman is equally compelling. Selma Blair brings depth to Liz Sherman, whose struggle with her destructive powers mirrors Hellboy’s own insecurities. Her arc—culminating in a life-altering revelation about her pregnancy—adds emotional weight to the chaos. Doug Jones, under layers of prosthetics as Abe Sapien, delivers a performance that’s both ethereal and grounded, especially as Abe falls for Nuala in a subplot that’s as sweet as it is doomed.

Luke Goss, as Prince Nuada, is a revelation. Far from a one-note villain, Nuada is a tragic figure—a warrior clinging to a fading world, driven by honor and grief. Goss, a former boy-band member turned action star (Blade II), imbues Nuada with a regal intensity, his martial arts prowess on full display in fluid, balletic fight scenes. Anna Walton’s Nuala complements him as a soft-spoken counterpoint, her psychic bond with Nuada adding a layer of inevitability to their conflict. Even Jeffrey Tambor, as the perpetually exasperated B.P.R.D. boss Tom Manning, lands every comedic beat, while newcomer Johann Krauss (voiced by Seth MacFarlane) brings a quirky, gas-filled twist to the team.

Guillermo del Toro’s Masterful Direction

Guillermo del Toro, fresh off the Oscar-winning Pan’s Labyrinth (2006), pours every ounce of his visual and thematic genius into Hellboy II. This isn’t just a superhero movie—it’s a love letter to folklore, steeped in del Toro’s fascination with monsters as misunderstood outsiders. The film’s aesthetic is a kaleidoscope of gothic grandeur and steampunk grit, from the subterranean Troll Market (inspired by Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away) to the Golden Army’s gleaming, clockwork ranks.

Del Toro’s creature design, crafted with makeup artist Mike Elizalde and a team of artisans, is a practical-effects marvel. The forest elemental—a towering, plant-like god with stag antlers—feels ripped from a Grimm fairy tale, while the tooth fairies (tiny, ravenous gremlins) are equal parts adorable and terrifying. The Golden Army itself, with its whirring gears and blank, eyeless faces, evokes both awe and dread. Cinematographer Guillermo Navarro bathes these creations in rich amber and emerald tones, while Danny Elfman’s soaring score amplifies the film’s mythic scope.

The action sequences are a highlight, blending choreography with del Toro’s knack for scale. Hellboy’s brawl with the elemental is a chaotic symphony of destruction, while Nuada’s duel with Hellboy in the army’s chamber is a masterclass in tension and stakes. Del Toro balances these set pieces with quieter moments—like Abe and Nuala’s tender exchange over an ancient book—proving he’s as much a storyteller as a showman.

Themes of Identity and Legacy

At its core, Hellboy II is about belonging. Hellboy grapples with his dual nature—demon by birth, human by choice—while Nuada fights to preserve a world that’s slipping away. The film asks: Who gets to define us? Our origins, our actions, or the people we choose to love? Hellboy’s decision to reject the crown and the army’s power isn’t just a plot beat—it’s a defiant stand against destiny, echoing del Toro’s recurring motif of free will.

The human-versus-magical divide also resonates in 2025, where debates over technology, tradition, and coexistence feel more relevant than ever. Nuada’s rage at humanity’s greed mirrors environmental anxieties, while Hellboy’s outsider status speaks to anyone who’s ever felt out of place. It’s this emotional undercurrent that keeps Hellboy II timeless, even as its visuals dazzle.

Why Hellboy II Endures in the Superhero Pantheon

In 2008, The Dark Knight dominated the superhero conversation with its gritty realism, but Hellboy II carved a different niche—one of unapologetic fantasy and heart. Against today’s MCU juggernauts, it stands out for its standalone charm and del Toro’s auteur stamp. Its 86% Rotten Tomatoes score and 78% audience rating reflect its broad appeal, though some critics found its plot thin compared to its spectacle. That critique misses the point: Hellboy II isn’t about narrative complexity—it’s about vibe, character, and world-building.

The film’s legacy is bittersweet. Plans for a third installment crumbled amid studio shifts and del Toro’s packed slate (The Shape of Water, Pinocchio), leaving fans with a cliffhanger—Liz’s pregnancy and Hellboy’s uncertain future. The 2019 reboot, sans Perlman and del Toro, flopped, underscoring how irreplaceable their vision was. Yet Hellboy II remains a high-water mark, a reminder of what superhero cinema can be when it dares to dream big.

Final Verdict: A Must-Revisit Classic

Hellboy II: The Golden Army is a triumph of style and substance, a film that balances blockbuster thrills with del Toro’s soulful eccentricity. Ron Perlman’s Hellboy is iconic, the visuals are unforgettable, and the story—while not flawless—hits all the right emotional beats. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer, it’s worth revisiting on streaming platforms like Netflix or grabbing the Blu-ray for its extras (including del Toro’s commentary).

Rating: 4/5 Stars
Where to Watch: Available on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Blu-ray/DVD.